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Opinion: The implosion of Kazakhstan was unexpected, and it has implications for the whole post-Soviet space
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Opinion: The implosion of Kazakhstan was unexpected, and it has implications for the whole post-Soviet space

10 January 2022
"We need time to understand better what happened in Kazakhstan, and why", writes Benyamin Poghosyan in this op-ed. Whilst sending CSTO troops to Kazakhstan was clearly President Putin's decision to support President Tokayev in the internal fight between Kazakh local elites, the deployment has implications also for other countries participating in the mission, including Armenia.
Benyamin Poghosyan
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News
A week of intensive diplomacy as the west engages with Russia on Ukraine and disarmament issues
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A week of intensive diplomacy as the west engages with Russia on Ukraine and disarmament issues

9 January 2022
NATO Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg, warned that the buildup of Russian military forces and equipment along the Ukrainian border is continuing and that Russia has failed to respond to international appeals and pressure for de-escalation in recent weeks. Stoltenberg was speaking after an extraordinary virtual meeting with all NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs, held on Friday, 7 January.
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News
Israel says it does not oppose "a good nuclear deal" with Iran
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Israel says it does not oppose "a good nuclear deal" with Iran

7 January 2022
Israeli leaders appear to have recently softened their position as regards a nuclear deal with Iran, saying they would not oppose "a good deal". Israel’s foreign minister, Yair Lapid, said that Israel would have no problem with a strong nuclear deal with Iran on condition that the deal permanently limits Iran’s ability to assemble a nuclear weapon.
Editor's choice
Opinion
Opinion: Crisis in Kazakhstan gives Putin more leverage on Central Asia
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Opinion: Crisis in Kazakhstan gives Putin more leverage on Central Asia

7 January 2022
As an uneasy calm returns to Kazakhstan, it seems that once again, the only beneficiary from another crisis in the post-Soviet space has been Russian President Vladimir Putin, writes Maximiliaan van Lange in this op-ed for commonspace.eu. Putin’s decision to quickly deploy airborne troops as part of a "peacekeeping force" to support the Kazakh regime in controlling the turmoil surprised even some Russian commentators who have called it inappropriate. But by its actions, Moscow is sending a message that it will not tolerate turmoil in former Soviet states. With this step, Russia has considerably strengthened its position in Kazakhstan and nips in the bud the risk of a domino effect in Central Asia
Maximiliaan van Lange
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News
Dozens killed in Kazakhstan as unrest continues and Russia sends in troops
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Dozens killed in Kazakhstan as unrest continues and Russia sends in troops

6 January 2022
Dozens of people were killed in protests in Kazakhstan's largest metropolis, Almaty during the night from Wednesday to Thursday (6 January), according to local police. On Thursday, Russia sent airborne forces to Kazakhstan as part of a "peacekeeping force". According to Moscow, they will be used to guard important buildings and sites, among other things. The Kremlin has not said how many troops have been deployed.